Elmar 90mm f4. Thin Elmar in black and nickel finish. The Leitz product code is ELANG. Serial number in the 320,000 range. Distance scale in meters.
According to the serial number, this lens was made in 1936, which is relatively late for a black and nickel lens. By this time, chrome-plated finishes had already become the mainstream, but we have previously seen other examples in the same black and nickel finish with serial numbers close to this one, as well as later examples. Even after chrome became standard, there must still have been some demand for the traditional nickel finish.
4 elements in 3 groups. Originally uncoated, but this example received postwar coating treatment by Leitz. A light-colored coating can clearly be seen on each lens surface.
A superb match for black and nickel Leica DII or DIII bodies. This nickel Thin Elmar is not widely known, but it is certainly a lens that quite a few collectors have been searching for. Rare.
This lens was previously sold by our shop. It was carefully used by the previous owner and has now returned to us.
There is some paint loss and minor rubbing around the front edge of the barrel, but for a black and nickel Thin Elmar, this example is in remarkably nice condition. The black paint, nickel plating, and silver-filled engravings are all very well preserved, giving the lens a truly beautiful appearance.
A full overhaul was carried out by a specialist in 2025. Thanks to the thorough servicing, both the aperture and helicoid still operate exceptionally smoothly. The focus was also carefully adjusted during the overhaul, and rangefinder coupling is excellent. At infinity, the double image slightly passes the point of alignment, but this causes no practical issue in use.
There are a few very faint, tiny traces of fungus on the surface of the front element, visible only under close inspection with a loupe. We found no noticeable effect on actual photographs. Otherwise, there are no noticeable cleaning marks or haze, and the glass is clear and bright. Our test shots also produced very good results.
Original front and rear caps and the original box are included. A fine example for the collector.
